The caves of Mas d'Azil

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If you are looking for a nice day out during your holiday in the South of France, a visit to the Caves of Mas d'Azil isrecommended. The road to it is already stunning in itself thanks to the beautiful landscape of the Pyrénées Ariégeoises Natural Park. In the Massif Le Plantaurel lies the cave of Mas d'Azil, hollowed out by the river Arize. The huge entrance is visible from a great distance. There are several hiking trails around and even over the cave. At the entrance of the cave there is a picnic area where you can rest and have some food. The caves of Mas d'Azil are unique in Europe because you can drive into them with your car. Guided tours of the caves are given regularly, giving you a good impression of the way of life of the people in prehistoric times. The Cathars and Huguenots alsolived in these caves when they were cruelly persecuted by the Roman Church. After you have visited the cave, you can visit the village of Mas d'Azil and explore the museum where finds from the cave are exhibited.

The surrounding area of Mas d'Azil

The "Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises” lies in the south of France, between Toulouse and the border with Spain. As the name suggests, this nature reserve is largely located in the Ariège department and the mountains of the Pyrenees. To the northwest it borders the Haute-Garonne, the Massif du Plantaurel forms the border to the north, the river Ariège runs along the eastern edge and to the southeast lies Andorra. The park was established in 2009 and includes 138 villages such as Saint-Lizier, Aulus-les-Bains, La Bastide de Sérou and Mas d'Azil. On the edge of the nature reserve you’ll find places such as Tarascon-sur-Ariège, Foix, Pamiers, Carla-Bayle and Salies-du-Salat. The nature reserve is home to tall mountains, rushing rivers, waterfalls, lakes, caves and forests. It is a great area for walking and cycling. The highest peak is the Pique d'Estats with a height of 3143m. You can get high up on this mountain thanks to the hiking trails. The hiking trails reward you with beautiful views. The Pic des Trois Seigneurs, Mont Valier and the region of Guzet are also worth visiting. This beautiful area is also home to the caves of Mas d'Azil.

Caves in Ariège

  • La grotte de Niaux
  • La grotte de Lombrives
  • La grotte du Mas d'Azil
  • La grotte de Bedeilhac
  • La grotte de la Vache
  • La rivière souterraine de Labouiche
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Visit the caves in Ariège during your holiday

There are many caves to visit throughout the whole of Europe, including France, but there is only one cave that you can drive through by car. This unique cave is the cave of Mas d'Azil, the only cave in Europe through which you can drive. This world-famous cave has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1942. The cave was created by the Arize River which flows through it and has eroded the rock over the centuries. Part of the cave is a huge natural tunnel with an entrance of about 51m high and 48m wide through which a road runs. The caves of Mas d'Azil are also known for the many ancient remains that have been found there. Carvings, sculptures, frescoes, bones and utensils have been discovered that are a beautiful representation of the way of life of cave dwellers. It is assumed that it is mainly traces from a certain prehistoric period that have been found here. This period has been given a name derived from Mas d'Azil, the Azilian era. In later centuries, the caves were used as shelters for Cathars and Huguenots.

Guided tour of the caves

The section of the cave through which the road runs is free to visit. A footpath runs along the road where you can walk safely. Halfway along the way, you will arrive at the entrance to the caves which you can visit with a guide and for which you will have to pay. You must be present no later than 15mins before the tour starts. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour. The tour is not accessible for those with wheelchairs or strollers and taking photos is prohibited.

Remember to put on good shoes and bring warm clothes when visiting the cave. The temperature in the cave is about 12°C all year round. Before the tour starts, you can  walk around the documentation center. During the tour, various stairways will lead you to rooms each illuminated in an atmospheric way. The tour will give you an impression of the way people used to live here. The tour will focus on the Magdalenes way of life, their habits, and their cuisine.

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The village of Mas d'Azil

The caves are located about 1.5km from the town of Mas d'Azil. There is a good footpath between the village and the cave. There are multiple hiking trails around and over the cave. The square "Place du Bout de la Ville" with its old houses and narrow streets is located in the center of the village. In the past, the glass industry was of great importance is Mas d'Azil. There is still a glassblower and an exhibition about glass in the village. During the religious wars in the 16th century, this region was restless, especially after Protestantism gained many followers. Calvin, one of the leading figures, often preached in this region. He pointed out the abuses of the Roman Church and showed people the authority of the Bible. In 1625 there was a great war. After this war, Cardinal Richelieu ordered a large part of the cave to be blown up. Every Saturday there is a farmer's market and every 2 weeks on Wednesdays there is a large market.

Museum

The museum is located in the village of Mas d'Azil near the old hall and the Église Saint-Etienne. In this museum there are many objects from prehistoric times that were found in the caves. One of the most important objects is the roe deer with birds "le faon aux oiseaux". The museum also has a full hunting outfit on display with arrowheads, harpoons and spears with which the hunters hunted for food.

In another part of the museum you can see the tools used by the Magdalenians in daily life. On the walls in the caves and on all kinds of objects in the museum you can see decorations and paintings that were made by the prehistoric population. Another important item in the museum is an ancient human skull of a young girl. The museum also has paintings and engravings of inaccessible spaces in the caves. The museum is the perfect place to give a good impression of Mas d'Azil’s past.

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